Shot solicitor loses fight for life

Devizes solicitor Jim Ward lost his fight for life at the weekend after being shot at his office in St John’s Street on July 2.

He passed away on Sunday afternoon at Frenchay Hospital, near Bristol, where he had been airlifted following the attack. His family were by his bedside.

Mr Ward, 58, from Bratton, near Westbury, was a well respected solicitor in the town, founding the practice Morris, Goddard and Ward, now known as MGW Law, with his wife, Nicola Morris, and Francis
Goddard.

Michael Chudley, 62, formerly of Rowde, has been charged with his attempted murder.

Detective chief inspector Ian Saunders said: "Our thoughts are with Jim’s family and friends at this time. Jim was a popular and well respected man.

"At the time of his death his family were with him and they have asked that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.

"I will now be working with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that the criminal charges faced by the man already charged with attempted murder properly reflect this change in the
circumstances of the case."

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101.